Electrostatic trap mass spectrometer with improved ion injection

ABSTRACT

A method of mass spectral analysis in an analytical electrostatic trap ( 14 ) is disclosed. The electrostatic trap ( 14 ) defines an electrostatic field volume and includes trap electrodes having static and non-ramped potentials. The method comprises injecting a continuous ion beam into the electrostatic field volume.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a 371 of International Application No.PCT/US2011/067783, filed Dec. 29, 2011, which claims priority toApplication No. GB1022050.7, filed on Dec. 29, 2010, the entire contentsof each of the above applications being incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure generally relates to the area of mass spectroscopicanalysis, electrostatic traps, and to electrostatic traps withcontinuous ion injection.

BACKGROUND

Known electrostatic traps (E-traps) employ electrostatic fields forindefinite spatial confinement (trapping) of moving ions, and forarranging highly isochronous ion oscillations. Ions packets are injectedinto the E-trap field, and ionic oscillation frequencies are detected byan image current detector. Ion mass to charge ratio (m/z) may thendetermined in calibration experiments since the oscillation frequency Fis proportional to (m/z)^(1/2). Spectra may be reconstructed from signalwaveforms by the Fourier Transformation (FT).

U.S. Pat. No. 6,013,913A, U.S. Pat. No. 5,880,466, and 6,744,042,incorporated herein by reference, appear to describe I-path E-traps thatemploy coaxial ion mirrors for isochronous ion trapping. Ion packets arepulsed injected via a pulsed ion mirror. The described technique appearsto suffers low space charge capacity. Injection of more than 1E+4 ionscan cause the self-bunching and the coalescence of ion packets.

GB2418528, incorporated herein by reference, appears to describe anI-path ion trap that utilizes radiofrequency fields for radial ionconfinement. This system can be impractical due to the combination oflimited space charge capacity of the I-path trap and poor image currentdetection.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,886,346, incorporated herein by reference, appears todescribe an orbital trap that uses a cylindrical trap in combinationwith a hyper-logarithmic electrostatic field. As described, an injectionof ions from an external ion source into the electrostatic orbital trapvolume is necessarily accompanied by ramping of analytical electrostaticfield as ions would otherwise hit trap electrodes. Because rampedpotentials conflict with the potential stability, the prolongedinjection in combination with the potential ramping causes variations ofion parameters Vs ion mass and, as a result, causes multiple artifactsin spectra. For this reason, optimal parameters have been achieved withpulsed ion injection wherein the duration of injected ion packets is inthe order of 100 ns (Makarov et al, JASMS., v. 20 (2009) #8, pp1391-1396, incorporated herein by reference). This pulsed injection cancomplicate the formation of ion packets with extended volume and wellcontrolled size, which is desirable for increasing space charge capacityand for minimizing higher harmonic signals.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,994,473, incorporated herein by reference, appears todescribe arranging the reciprocal ion motion within a three-dimensionalelectrostatic field. But to avoid ion losses occurring on the wallswithin the system, the ion injection also appears to require the rampingof electrostatic potentials. While FIG. 3B appears to prevent side ionexcursions along the Z-axis, potential ramping still yields a morelimited injection time. Additionally, this potential ramping can tend toaffect mass accuracy (parts per million) due to a lower stability oftime variable power supply.

In co-pending application WO2011086430, incorporated herein byreference, there is disclosed an extended E-trap which is expected toimprove the E-trap space charge capacity of electrostatic traps byorders of magnitude as compared to earlier cited orbital and threedimensional E-traps. The proposed hollow cylindrical geometry canprovide significant elongation of the trapping volume withoutsacrificing the size of the analyzer. But efficiency of the describedtrap may be limited by pulsed schemes of ion injection.

The speed of spectral acquisition significantly improves when analyzingsignals using the Filter Diagonalization Method (FDM) described inAizikov et al, JASMS 17 (2006) 836-843, incorporated herein byreference. The described method appears to require sinusoidal signalswhich can lead to an introduction of artifacts and peaks that correspondto higher oscillation harmonics when injecting short ion packets.

Thus, prior art E-traps employ pulsed injection of ion packetsaccompanied by potential ramping or switching which affects parametersof electrostatic traps. The system described may obviate or mitigate atleast one or more of the aforementioned problems and may improve the ionflux throughput and the duty cycle of electrostatic trap massspectrometers.

SUMMARY

Methods of mass spectral analysis are disclosed. In an embodiment, amethod may comprise the step of injecting a continuous ion beam into anelectrostatic field volume of an analytical electrostatic trap withstatic and non ramped potentials on trap electrodes and for apre-defined period. Among other possibilities, the method can be usedfor “extended” E-traps as described in WO2011086430 for which theinjection period can be 100 to 1000 fold longer compared ion oscillationcycle.

In an implementation, the injection period is longer than one of thegroup: (i) at least 100 ion oscillations within the electrostatic trap(ii) at least 300 ion oscillations within the electrostatic trap; (iii)a period sufficient for filling the entire drift length of theelectrostatic trap by lightest (m/z) ions; and (iv) a period sufficientfor filling the entire drift length of said electrostatic trap byheaviest (m/z) ions. In an implementation, the method further comprisesa step of effecting motion of the trapped ions (sharpening).

In an implementation, a method of mass spectral analysis may comprise:

(a) forming an electrostatic trapping field having reflecting fieldregions, spaced by a field-free region; wherein the field providesisochronous ion oscillations in the first X-direction and indefinitetrapping of moving ions by spatial focusing in the second transverseY-direction; wherein the field is substantially extended in the thirdZ-direction;

(b) injecting a continuous ion beam into said trapping field at a smallinclination angle with respect to the first X-direction for a periodlonger than at least 100 ion oscillations within said trap;

(c) effecting motion of trapped ions;

(d) detecting an image current signal induced by oscillating ions; and

(e) converting the signal into spectrum of oscillating frequencies withthe subsequent conversion into m/z spectrum.

In an implementation, the step of effecting motion of trapped ions maycomprise one step of the group: (i) a pulsed ion excitation; (ii) apulsed removal of ion portion; (iii) a resonant excitation of ionswithin a limited span of oscillation frequencies; (iv) a pulsedexpansion or contraction of said trapping field; and (v) pulsedrepulsion of ion packets within said field-free region. In animplementation, the method may further comprise an intermediate ionaccumulation in radiofrequency (RF) fields between steps of saidcontinuous ion injection. In an implementation, the reflectingelectrostatic field region comprises at least one field region of thegroup: (i) a field of ion mirrors; (ii) a field of electrostaticsectors; and (iii) a hybrid field having features of both—of ion mirrorsand of electrostatic sectors. The electrostatic field extended in theZ-direction may comprise a two-dimensional field of the group: (i) ahollow cylindrical filed; and (ii) a planar field equipped withisochronous edge-bounding field. For accelerating the mass spectralanalysis, in an implementation, the method may further includemultiplexing the electrostatic field volumes and distributing thecontinuous beam into the electrostatic field volumes for parallel andindependent mass analysis from either single or multiple ion sources. Inan embodiment, the step of converting image current signal intofrequency spectrum comprises either Fourier analysis or FilterDiagonalization Method (FDM).

Electrostatic trap mass spectrometers are also described. In animplementation, such spectrometers may comprise an ion source to form acontinuous ion beam, an electrostatic trap having ion reflecting regionsspaced by a field-free region. In an implementation, the shape andpotentials of the electrostatic trap electrodes may be selected toprovide isochronous ion oscillations in a first X-direction and spatialion confinement in the second Y-direction; said trap is substantiallyextended in the third Z-direction.

In an embodiment, the spectrometer may include injection optics tointroduce the continuous ion beam into the electrostatic trap withoutramping the electrostatic trap potentials. Additionally, ion steeringmeans may be incorporated to direct the ion beam within they X-Y planeand at a small inclination angle with respect to the X-direction for theperiod of ion beam injection into said trap. Next, means for effectingmotion of at least a portion of trapped ions (sharpener) may beincorporated into the spectrometer. In an implementation, thespectrometer may further include a detector to measure an image currentsignal that is induced by moving ion clouds. The spectrometer mayfurther include means for reconstructing mass spectra from detectorsignal waveforms.

In an implementation, the electrostatic trap further comprises aradio-frequency (RF) ion guide for ion accumulation and periodic releaseof a continuous ion beam. In an implementation, the electrostatic trapcomprises one electrode set of the group: (i) at least two electrostaticion mirrors; (ii) at least two electrostatic deflecting sectors; and(iii) at least one ion mirror and at least one electrostatic sector. Theelectrodes may provide substantially two-dimensional electrostatic fieldwith one field symmetry of the group: (i) of planar symmetry, whereinE-trap electrodes are parallel and are linearly extended; and (ii) ofcylindrical symmetry, wherein E-trap electrodes are circular to formhollow cylindrical field volumes. The injection optics may comprise oneof the groups: (i) an aperture in one of the E-trap electrodes; (ii) anaperture in a temporarily biased section of the E-trap electrodes; (iii)a field-free space and a deflector; (iv) an edge of elongated electrodesforming a planar two-dimensional field; and (v) a section of saidelectrostatic trap. The ionization means may comprise either a massspectrometer or an ion mobility device followed by a fragmentation cell.The set of electrodes may comprise a set of aligned slits formingmultiplicity of trapping electrostatic fields, and wherein saidinjection optics comprises means for multiplexing ion flow between saidtrapping volumes.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the present invention together with arrangementgiven illustrative purposes only will now be described, by way ofexample only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts an injection of a continuous ion beam into a torroidalE-trap formed of two circular ion mirrors; and

FIG. 2 depicts an injection of a continuous ion beam into a multiplexedE-trap.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Prior art electrostatic traps (E-traps) often employ pulsed injection ofcompact ion packets. A pulsed scheme can limit the parameters of ionpackets due to (a) accumulation of ion packets within a fine volumethereby inducing a space charge repulsion of ions; (b) extraction of ionpackets with strong fields thereby inducing relatively large energyspreads of hundreds of electron-Volts; (c) time-of-flight separationoccurring between an accumulating trap and an analytical E-trap, whichmay restrict injected mass range; and (d) a pulsed admission of ionsinto an analytical E-trap which can cause pulsed potentials and relatedinstability of analytical E-trap voltages.

In an aspect, a system is provided that uses a prolonged injection of acontinuous ion beam into an E-trap having constant electrostaticpotentials. In an implementation, the ion beam is provided for at least100 ion oscillation cycles to help ensure a complete and uniform fillingof the E-trap volume with ions. In an implementation, the prolongedinjection becomes possible because of using E-traps with a field-freeregion and substantial extension of the E-traps along the driftdirection. In an implementation, the assembly of trapped moving ions maythen be “sharpened” in order to detect the oscillation frequencies by animage current detector. Various described sharpening techniques allowthe system to obtain prolonged ion packets (comparable with E-traposcillation path) with well defined and (m/z) independent length which,in turn, can improve signal processing and remove higher order signalharmonics.

Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment 11 of an electrostatic trap (E-trap)mass spectrometer comprises a continuous ion source 12, an accumulatingradio-frequency (RF) ion guide 13, followed by differentially pumpedtransfer ion optics (not shown); an electrostatic hollow cylindricaltrap 14 formed of two gridless ion mirrors 15 separated by a drift space16; steering means 17; means for effecting ion motion 18 within the trap14; and an image current circuit 19 connected to a shield electrode ofthe drift space 16. The figure also shows momentarily slices of the trap14 at times T1 and T2 denoted as 14(T1) and 14(T2).

In operation, two planar gridless ion mirrors 15 are aligned paralleland are spaced by a field-free region 16 arranged within shieldelectrodes (shown by dashed line). In an implementation, mirrors are setsymmetric relative to the X-Z plane. Each mirror may exemplarily becomposed of at least four pairs of circular electrodes (not shown) toform a hollow cylindrical volume with a substantially two-dimensionalelectrostatic field. In an embodiment, each mirror may comprise anattracting lens electrode. The field in the ion mirrors may be adjustedto provide spatial ion focusing in the Y-direction and isochronousproperties with respect to ion energy in the X-direction, to spatial andangular beam divergences in the Y-direction, and compensation ofcross-term aberrations to at least second order of the Tailor expansion,so as time-to-energy focusing to at least third order. In animplementation, at least one pair of opposite ring electrodes has anadjustable voltage bias to steer ion packets in the radial direction andthis way keeping ions near the circular Z-axis.

Source 12 may provide a continuous ion beam. The ion beam may accumulatein the trapping RF guide 13, assisted by DC or RF repulsion at the exitend, and operating at an intermediate gas pressure of 0.01-10 mbar forcollisional ion dampening between ion ejection cycles. Periodically theexit of the trapping ion guide 13 opens (shown by symbolic rampedvoltage profile on the exit electrode) to yield a prolonged ion flow,preferably without forming sharp ion spikes. In an implementation, ionflow may be provided for the entire E-trap filling cycle, typically inthe time scale of several milliseconds. Continuous ion beam (shown byfat arrows) thereby enters the E-trap 14 via the field-free region 16and via steering means 17 at a small angle α relative to the X-axis, forexample, at 1 to 3 degrees inclination angle with respect to the X-Axis.Steering means 17 may provide ion beam displacement in the Y-directionto bypass mirror electrodes. Next, ion beam may be reflected by ionmirrors 15 and thereby propagate in the circular Z-direction. As aresult of the E-trap 14 having a long perimeter, it will take a longtime (milliseconds) and at or around at least 100 ion oscillation cyclesin the X-direction before ions may complete the full round within thetorroidal E-trap and enter the injection region after approximately 100to 300 ion reflections by mirrors. In one method, the RF trap 13 getsclosed and the steering means 17 are switched off to avoid disturbanceof trapped ions. Light ions may then fill the entire volume, while heavyions may fill part of E-trap volume. In another method, the injectioncycle lasts until the heaviest m/z ions fill the entire trap volume.Lighter m/z ions will then be partially lost and the injection dutycycle may be proportional to square root of ion (m/z.). In yet anothermethod, the inclination angle may be chosen such that ion displacementper oscillation cycle is longer than thickness of steering means 17 inthe Z-direction. A notable portion of ion beam may then bypass thesteering means and would start next round. The foregoing method canallow more uniform duty cycle per (m/z). At completion of the fillcycle, the trapping guide 13 closes and incoming ions are stored withinguide 13 until the next injection cycle.

In the next equalization stage, trapped ions may continue oscillatingbetween mirrors. The trapped ions spread and mix in the Z-direction, andhomogeneously fill the trap in the X-direction. The steering means 17(for example, a pair of deflection plates) are provided such that noelectrode lies within the ion path, and the steering means do notdisturb ion motion at switched off regime. At this stage, there is nocoherent signal on the image current circuit 19.

In the next—“sharpening” stage, at time T1 the means 18 are switched on,as shown for trap 14(T1) at T1 stage, to effect motion of trapped ions.In an embodiment, a short voltage pulse is applied between shieldelectrodes to deflect all the ions within the field-free region 16. Theions which happen to fly within ion mirrors form a pair of ion packetsoscillating in opposite directions as shown in icon 14(T2). The lengthof thus formed ion packets are independent on ion (m/z).

In the next—“detection stage”, oscillations of the remaining ions inducethe signal waveform on the circuit 19. In an implementation, thewaveform may be analyzed either with the Fourier transformation or withthe Filter Diagonalization Method (FDM) for extracting frequencies ofion oscillations F, corresponding (m/z) values (m/z)˜F2, and forextracting the corresponding signal intensities, i.e. mass spectra. Inan implementation, a typical detection stage lasts 0.01-1 sec dependingon the E-trap size, the required resolution and depending on the signalanalysis method.

In one numerical example, the trap X-size (distance between mirror caps)is 200 mm, E-trap diameter is 300 to 500 mm, acceleration voltage is 8keV and target resolution is 100,000. Then oscillation period form/z=1000 amu ions is 5 us. If using FDM analysis method, the signalacquisition should last for approximately 20,000 cycles, i.e. for 0.1sec. For the same numerical example, ion filling stage takes 100 to 1000reflection cycles, i.e. 0.5 to 5 ms. Since analysis takes 100 ms, theintermediate storing ion guide can be held at relatively low gaspressure, down to 0.05 mBar, still sufficient for collisional iondampening between ion release cycles.

The described intermediate ion storage method provides an exceptionalion capacity as RF quadrupole ion guides can hold 1E+8 to 1E+9 ions,which far exceeds the capacity of pulsed extracting ion traps, likeC-trap (3E+6 ions). The phase space of the extracted continuous ion beamis much smaller than of pulsed extracted ion packets as the transversebeam emittance yields about 1-10 mm2meV and the axial energy spread isunder 1 eV. Pulsed traps generate notably larger transverse emittance(due to space charge repulsion of the localized ion cloud in RF traps)and the axial energy spread of several hundred electron-Volts. As aresult, the disclosed system yields better isochronicity of ion motionand, therefore, E-traps with higher resolving power.

The novel injection method eschews pulsing of precise potentials on ionmirrors which also yields accuracy and resolving power. The formation ofelongated ion packets within the E-trap extends the E-trap chargecapacity. In an implementation, an E-trap having a 200 mm cap-to-capdistance and 300 mm torroid diameter, the space occupied by ion cloudcould be estimated as 50,000 mm³. Assuming a space charge threshold of1E+4 ions/mm3, the space charge capacity of the exemplar E-trap isestimated as 1E+9 ions/injection. Additionally, the formation ofelongated ion packets with the (m/z) independent length is well suitedfor an FDM signal analysis—as it provides the sinusoidal waveforms andavoids higher harmonics. The disclosed method also incorporates aprecise initial phase of ion oscillations which is advantageous forsignal analysis.

There are multiple viable variations of the described apparatus andmethod. In an implementation, the E-trap may be a hollow cylindricalE-trap (as shown in FIG. 1) or a planar E-trap with Z-edge electrostaticplugs. Also, the E-trap may be formed of ion mirrors, electrostaticsectors, any combination of those, so as of hybrid fields havingfeatures of both—ion mirrors and sectors. In one example, the E-trap mayallow strong orbital motion while using radial deflecting fields.

In an implementation, the intermediate ion storage trap may comprise athree-dimensional RF ion trap or any form of an ion guide. For example,it may be a quadrupole, a higher multipole ion guide, a ring, a channelRF ion guide and the like. In an implementation, the ion trapping andcontinuous release may be assisted by RF or DC barrier. The ‘soft’ ionrelease may be formed either with pulsing the barrier at small amplitudeor by slow ramping down of the barrier. In connection with highintensity ion beams (e.g., 1E+11 ions/sec) past ICP source, the ionguide stage may be omitted, and the ion beam may come from the ionsource 12 directly, though at 1 to 5% duty cycle (the ion beam isutilized only for the about 1 to 5 ms filling time, while the beam islost during signal acquisition time). Still, the number of injected ionsis sufficient for signal analysis at high dynamic range (estimated as1E+6 to 1E+7) while matching space charge capacity of the E-trap.

Ion injection into the E-trap can be arranged either via the field freespace with assistance of pulsed steering means (as shown in FIG. 1), orvia a segment of ion mirror temporarily having lower potential, or via aZ-edge of a planar E-trap.

Multiple alternative methods may be used for ‘sharpening’ of the storedion cloud in the E-trap. One alternative is exciting ions in theX-direction, either pulsed or (m/z) resonant, to provide an excitationwithin a limited (m/z) span (e.g. to simplify spectral decoding).Another alternative is to adjust the ion storage space, e.g. by trappingions within a shorter region in the X-direction by an additionalretarding hard mirror and then switching off such additional retardingand releasing ions into a longer analytical trapping volume. Such mirrormay be arranged as a set of electrodes in the middle plain of theE-trap, thus forming a gridless mirror. The foregoing method canadvantageous as it saves ions, but it requires using longer traps as aresult of mechanical and electrical constraints.

The voltage floating arrangement may vary. In one alternative, theintermediate ion trap may be provided at nearly ground potential and thefield free space may be floated. Then the image current detector has tobe floated which may introduce an additional electronic noise onto thedetector. In another alternative, the intermediate ion trap istemporarily floated prior to ion injection in order to keep the detectorat ground bias.

Referring to FIG. 2, to enhance the analysis throughput, the novelinjection method may be combined with multiplexed E-traps. In animplementation, multiple volumes 25 of electrostatic trapping field arearranged by cutting a set of aligned slits within the same electrodesandwich 26. The set of linear E-traps may be equipped withZ-electrostatic plugs 27 for trapping ions in the Z-direction. A singlesource 22 supplies a quasi-continuous ion beam to multiple RF trappingvolumes 23. In an implementation, a steering set 24 is employed foreither continuous or pulsed alternated distribution of ion flow betweenmultiple E-traps. Alternatively, multiple sources may be employed forparallel ion injection into multiple E-traps. The multiplexedarrangement improves the speed and dynamic range of the analysis.

Although the present invention has been describing with reference topreferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat various modifications in form and detail may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention as set forth in theaccompanying claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of mass spectral analysis in ananalytical electrostatic trap, wherein the analytical electrostatic trapdefines an electrostatic field volume and includes pairs of circulartrap electrodes having substantially constant and non-ramped potentials,the method comprising: injecting a continuous ion beam into theelectrostatic field volume of the analytical electrostatic trap for aperiod longer than at least 100 ion oscillations; isochronouslyoscillating the continuous ion beam throughout the electrostatic fieldvolume; trapping ions of the isochronously oscillating continuous ionbeam within the electrostatic field volume of the analyticalelectrostatic trap; and detecting an image current signal induced by theions of the isochronously oscillating continuous ion beam.
 2. The methodas set forth in claim 1, wherein the electrostatic trap includes a driftlength, and wherein the period is selected from the group consisting of:(i) longer than at least 300 ion oscillations within the electrostatictrap; (ii) sufficient to fill the entire drift length of theelectrostatic trap with the lightest (m/z) ions; and (iii) sufficient tofill the entire drift length of the electrostatic trap with the heaviest(m/z) ions.
 3. The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:effecting motion of the trapped ions.
 4. The method as set forth inclaim 3, further comprising: forming an electrostatic trapping fieldhaving reflecting field regions spaced by a field-free region, whereinthe field provides isochronous ion oscillations in the first X-directionand indefinite trapping of moving ions by spatial focusing in the secondtransverse Y-direction, and wherein the field is substantially extendedin the third Z-direction, wherein the step of effecting motion oftrapped ions is further selected from the group consisting of: (i) apulsed ion excitation; (ii) a pulsed removal of ion portion; (iii) aresonant excitation of ions within a limited span of oscillationfrequencies; (iv) a pulsed expansion or contraction of the trappingfield; and (v) pulsed repulsion of ion packets within the field-freeregion.
 5. A method of mass spectral analysis in an analyticalelectrostatic trap including pairs of circular trap electrodes, themethod comprising: forming an electrostatic trapping field havingreflecting field regions spaced by a field-free region, wherein thefield provides isochronous ion oscillations in the first X-direction andindefinite trapping of isochronously oscillating ions throughout theanalytical electrostatic trap by spatial focusing in the secondtransverse Y-direction, and wherein the field is substantially extendedin the third Z-direction; injecting a continuous ion beam into thetrapping field at a small inclination angle with respect to the firstX-direction for a period longer than at least 100 ion oscillationswithin said trap; effecting motion of trapped ions; detecting imagecurrent signal induced by the oscillating ions; and converting saidsignal into spectrum of oscillating frequencies with the subsequentconversion into (m/z) spectrum.
 6. The method as set forth in claim 5,wherein the step of effecting motion of trapped ions is further selectedfrom the group consisting of: (i) a pulsed ion excitation; (ii) a pulsedremoval of ion portion; (iii) a resonant excitation of ions within alimited span of oscillation frequencies; (iv) a pulsed expansion orcontraction of the trapping field; and (v) pulsed repulsion of ionpackets within the field-free region.
 7. The method as set forth inclaim 5 further comprising: intermediately accumulating ions inradiofrequency (RF) fields between periods of continuous ion injection.8. The method as set forth in claim 5, wherein said reflectingelectrostatic field region comprises at least one field region selectedfrom the group consisting of: (i) a field of ion mirrors; (ii) a fieldof electrostatic sectors; and (iii) a hybrid field having features ofboth of ion mirrors and of electrostatic sectors.
 9. The method as setforth in claim 5, wherein the electrostatic field extended in theZ-direction comprises a two-dimensional field selected from the groupconsisting of: (i) a hollow cylindrical field; and (ii) a planar fieldequipped with isochronous edge-bounding field.
 10. The method as setforth in claim 5, wherein said step of ion beam injection comprises onestep selected from the group consisting of: (i) injection via thefield-free region, assisted by switched ion displacement in theY-direction; (ii) injection via Z-edge of said field-free region; (iii)injection via a switched section of electrostatic ion mirror; and (iv)injection via a switched section of electrostatic sector.
 11. The methodas set forth in claim 5 further comprising: multiplexing electrostaticfield volumes; and distributing said continuous ion beam into saidelectrostatic field volumes for parallel and independent mass analysisfrom either single or multiple ion sources.
 12. The method as set forthin claim 5, wherein said step of converting the image current signalinto frequency spectrum comprises either a Fourier analysis or a FilterDiagonalization Method (FDM).
 13. An electrostatic trap massspectrometer comprising: an ion source to form a continuous ion beam; anelectrostatic trap having ion reflecting regions spaced by a field-freeregion, wherein the electrostatic trap includes pairs of circular trapelectrodes having substantially constant and non-ramped potentials,wherein a shape and potentials of said electrostatic trap provideisochronous ion oscillations in a first X-direction and spatial ionconfinement in the second Y-direction, and wherein the trap issubstantially extended in the third Z-direction; injection optics forintroducing the continuous ion beam for a period longer than at least100 ion oscillations throughout the electrostatic trap without rampingof electrostatic trap potentials; a controller configured to control theinjection optics to introduce the continuous ion beam for a periodlonger than at least 100 ion oscillations throughout the electrostatictrap without ramping of electrostatic trap potentials; ion steeringmeans for directing said ion beam within an X-Y plane and at a smallinclination angle with respect to the X-direction for the period of ionbeam injection into said trap; means for effecting motion of at least aportion of trapped oscillating ions; a detector for measuring imagecurrent signal induced by moving ion clouds; and means forreconstructing mass spectra from detector signal waveforms.
 14. The trapas set forth in claim 13, further comprising a radio-frequency ion guidefor ion accumulation and to provide a periodic release of the continuousion beam.
 15. The trap as set forth in claim 13, wherein theelectrostatic trap comprises electrostatic trap electrodes, wherein theelectrostatic trap electrodes are selected from the group consisting of:(i) at least two electrostatic ion mirrors; (ii) at least twoelectrostatic deflecting sectors; and (iii) at least one ion mirror andat least one electrostatic sector.
 16. The trap as set forth in claim15, wherein the electrostatic trap electrodes provide a substantiallytwo-dimensional electrostatic field with one field symmetry selectedfrom the group consisting of: (i) of planar symmetry, wherein theelectrostatic trap electrodes are parallel and linearly extended; and(ii) of cylindrical symmetry, wherein the electrostatic trap electrodesare circular to form hollow cylindrical field volumes.
 17. The trap asset forth in claim 13, wherein the injection optics are selected fromthe group consisting of: (i) an aperture in one of the electrostatictrap electrodes; (ii) an aperture in a temporarily biased section of theelectrostatic trap electrodes; (iii) a field-free space and a deflector;(iv) an edge of the electrostatic trap electrodes forming a planartwo-dimensional field; and (v) a section of said electrostatic trap. 18.The trap as set forth in claim 13, wherein said ion steering means isselected from the group consisting of a mass spectrometer; and an ionmobility device followed by a fragmentation cell.
 19. The trap as setforth in claim 13, wherein said electrostatic trap electrodes comprisesa set of aligned slits forming multiplicity of trapping electrostaticfields, and wherein said injection optics comprises means formultiplexing ion flow between said trapping volumes.
 20. The method asset forth in claim 1 further comprising: multiplexing electrostaticfield volumes; and distributing said continuous ion beam into saidelectrostatic field volumes for parallel and independent mass analysisfrom either single or multiple ion sources.
 21. The method as set forthin claim 5, wherein the electrostatic trapping field includes trapelectrodes having substantially constant and non-ramped potentials. 22.The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: isochronouslyreflecting the trapped ions within the electrostatic field volume tocomplete a filling cycle of electrostatic field volume with the trappedions; and terminating the continuous ion beam injection into theelectrostatic field volume upon completion of the filling cycle.
 23. Themethod as set forth in claim 22, further comprising: affecting ionmotion after the terminating step by applying a short voltage pulsebetween shield electrodes to form a pair of ion packets oscillating inopposite direction.
 24. The method as set forth in claim 23, furthercomprising: providing an equalization period after the filling cycle andbefore ion motion is affected.
 25. The method as set forth in claim 1,wherein the analytical electrostatic trap includes an electrostatichollow torroidal-shaped trap.
 26. The method as set forth in claim 1,wherein the trap electrodes include a pair of opposite ring-shapedelectrodes.